How we research, write, check and update every guide.

Our mission

Fun Packed Life helps people over 50 plan retirement, live well and enjoy the second half. We write for readers, not for search engines or advertisers. Every article should leave you with a clear answer, the trade-offs behind it, and the next step to take.

Who writes and edits

Each writer covers the part of life after 50 they know best:

• Kaylee Torres, Founder and Senior Editor: reviews and fact-checks every article before it is published, and writes our Style & Confidence guides.
• Harrison Bullock: retirement planning, Social Security, Medicare and senior living.
• Kian Bennett: life after retirement, working in retirement and life after 50.
• Olivia Anderson: wellness and fitness after 50.

Every article shows its author, the date it was published or last updated, and a short author bio. You can read more about each of us on our About page. Our writers share experience and research, not personal financial, tax, legal or medical advice.

How we choose topics

We start with the questions readers actually ask: from our inbox, from search data, and from the decisions that come up at each stage between 50 and 80. We also follow the calendar, covering deadlines such as Medicare Open Enrollment and year-end distributions before they arrive, and we revisit a topic whenever a law or rule changes.

The sources we use

Money articles rely on the Social Security Administration (ssa.gov), Medicare.gov and CMS, the IRS (irs.gov), the U.S. Department of Labor, and other government and regulatory publications.

Health and fitness articles rely on the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging, the CDC, MedlinePlus, peer-reviewed research, and guidance from major medical organizations.

We link to the source of every statistic, rule and study so you can check it yourself. We do not treat anonymous forum posts, press releases without data, or a single small study as settled fact, and we say so when the evidence is limited.

How every article is checked

1. Research. The writer gathers primary sources and outlines the answer.
2. Draft. The article is written in plain English, with the main answer near the top.
3. Fact-check. Every number, date, age rule and claim is checked against its source on the day we publish.
4. Review. Our senior editor reviews accuracy, clarity, tone and readability, and fact-checks every claim against its source.
5. Approval. Nothing is published until the senior editor approves it. Each article shows who reviewed it under the byline.

Money articles that quote Social Security, Medicare or tax figures carry a “rules as of” note showing the year those figures apply to.

Money and health standards

• We explain options and trade-offs. We do not tell you which investment, annuity or insurance plan to buy.
• We never promise guaranteed returns, cures or secret loopholes.
• Health content is educational. It does not diagnose, treat or replace advice from your doctor, and exercise guides include safety notes and easier modifications.
• When the right answer depends on your situation, we say so and suggest which kind of professional can help.

Updates and corrections

We review every money article each January, when new Social Security, Medicare and tax figures take effect, and whenever the law changes. Health and fitness articles are reviewed when significant new research or guidance appears.

If we make a mistake, we correct it promptly, and meaningful corrections are noted at the end of the article with the date. To report an error, use our contact page or email info@funpackedlife.com, and include the article link.

How we use AI

We use AI tools to help with research, outlines and first drafts. They never publish anything on their own: a named member of our team edits, fact-checks and approves every article, and is responsible for it. We do not use AI to invent quotes, statistics or sources.

Advertising and independence

Fun Packed Life is supported by display advertising and, on some pages, affiliate links. Advertisers do not see, review or approve our articles, and the ads you see are selected by our ad partners, not by our writers. Pages with affiliate links say so at the top, and we only recommend products and services we would suggest to our own families. Sponsored content, if we ever publish it, will be clearly labeled.

Images

We use our own photos, licensed stock images and images credited to their creators. If you own an image on this site and want it removed, contact us and we will take it down within 48 hours.